Will They Burn Eternally in Hell? — They Come Up in the “Second Resurrection”
Satan Marshals Them to Their Eternal Doom — The “Second Death”
A Universe Cleansed, and Rejoicing in Triumph
By W. A. GOSMER
This is the fifth and last of Professor Gosmer’s articles on the relation of man to the question of immortality. In his previous articles, he has shown that the doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul was borrowed by the Christian church from the pagan world, the immortality of the soul being a doctrine universally accepted by all heathen nations of which we have any history. He has shown that the Bible teaches clearly that there is no hope of immortality for the wicked, that the only way in which fallen man may secure an immortal existence is by accepting the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has presented the Bible doctrine of the resurrection as the great door of hope for those who have fallen asleep in death. His article this week, dealing with the final destiny of the wicked, presents the Bible teaching upon the subject, and logically follows the articles that have preceded.
EDITOR.
FROM the Scriptural proof presented last week, it must be unmistakably evident that “there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” Acts 24:15. The question naturally arises, What will become of the unjust—the wicked? “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever” (Ps. 37:29), according to the promises of God to the fathers. Gen. 15:14-17; 26:3; Heb. 11:9-16. The earth, re-created, cleansed, and purified, will be the happy abode of those who in this life become heirs of promise through faith. Rom. 4:16. But “where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:18.
THE RIGHTEOUS RESURRECTED
Like everything else in God’s great plan, the fate of the lost has its proper setting, its time and place. Stated in regular order, the events immediately preceding the destruction of the wicked are, the second advent, the first resurrection, the translation of the living righteous, the millennium and the judgment of the wicked, and the second resurrection.
At Christ’s second coming, “the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thess. 4:16. “This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.” Rev. 20:5, 6.
The first resurrection has to do only with “the dead in Christ,” the righteous. The wicked shall be slain “with the brightness of His coming.” 2 Thess. 2:8. “The slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried.” Jer. 25:33. But they are not then finally destroyed. For a thousand years following the second advent of Christ, the earth lies waste. Darkness and desolation reign supreme. See Revelation, chapter 20.
THE MILLENNIUM SPENT IN HEAVEN
During this millennial period, the saints are with Christ in heaven, sitting in judgment upon the wicked dead and the fallen angels. Says the record: “They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” “And judgment was given unto them.” Rev. 20:4. “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” 1 Cor. 6:2, 3.
CYCLE CORPS OF YOUNG MEN IN THE ITALIAN ARMY
During the thousand years, Satan is confined to this world, bound by “chains of darkness” (Rev. 20:1-3; 2 Peter 2:4), and by reason of the fact that humanity has disappeared from the earth; for the righteous are in heaven, and the wicked are all slain. At the end of this period, the holy city, New Jerusalem, descends from heaven. Christ, angels, and saints accompany it. Rev. 21:2; Zech. 14:4, 5. Then occurs the second resurrection, and subsequently, the “second death,” or the utter destruction of the wicked.
SATAN MARSHALS HIS ARMY
Satan, being loosed from his prison by the resurrection of the wicked, places himself at the head of the mightiest host ever marshaled in battle array. They go “up on the breadth of the earth.” Rev. 20:9. It is the last desperate struggle of the prince of darkness, his final act in the great drama of the ages. He goes forth “to deceive the nations,” who have come forth from their dusty beds. He leads them to think that they can take the city by storm; for their number is “as the sand of the sea.” Verse 8.
Acting upon the mighty impulse, they compass the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city; and fire comes down from God out of heaven, and devours them. Verse 9. Thus are fulfilled the words of the ancient prophet, “When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” Ps. 37:34. Ages before, it had been written concerning Satan: “I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.” Ezek. 28:18, 19. See Heb. 2:14.
BURNED UP AS STUBBLE
That is the time foretold by Malachi: “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Mal. 4:1.
These scriptures point to the utter annihilation of sin and sinners. Both root and branch — Satan and his followers — are consumed. As stated in the plainest possible terms, the wicked are “devoured,” “burned up.” They are compared to chaff and stubble (Isa. 5:20-24), to burning fat (Ps. 37:20), and other combustible materials. Peter speaks of the “perdition of ungodly men.” This implies utter destruction. And finally, says the seer, “They shall be as though they had not been.” Obadiah 16.
NO EVER BURNING HELL
It is difficult to see how a person could be as though he had not been, and still be living on. Anything that never was, surely cannot now exist. Therefore to be as something that never was, is most emphatically nonexistence. Then without the existence of the sinner, there can be no ever burning hell, no eternal torment. In the glad new creation that follows the destruction of the wicked, “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any777more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:1-4. How could pain be said to be no more, if hell fire were still tormenting its victims?
A final proof that the doctrine of eternal torment is entirely without foundation, is the universal chorus, or ascription of praise and adoration, which ascends to God and the Lamb after the conflict of the ages is over: “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:13. This scripture can be understood only in the light of a universe made free from sin; for after the “former things” have been forgotten, from the depths of the universe, from the heavens above, and from the earth beneath, from the sea, and from the habitable spheres “under the earth”—in fact, from all places in the Redeemer’s vast dominions—there is heard only one exultant note of universal harmony, the paean of everlasting praise.
THE PRIZE FOR “WHOSOEVER WILL”
Toward that “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” that day of immortality and endless peace, our longing hearts are turning. Its hidden glory is now veiled from our mortal sight and comprehension; for now “we know in part.” “Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.” For “it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9.
Dear reader, the promises are sure, and the prize is worthy of our highest endeavor, “The Spirit and the bride say, Come. . . . And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
